Wentzville unveils updated memorial to Vietnam War veterans

The city of Wentzville will cut the ribbon on an updated memorial to Vietnam War veterans at 4:30 p.m. Wednesday.

The city recently expanded the memorial site and added landscaping, lights, and a ramp, so disabled veterans can visit. The memorial is at 209 W. Pearce Blvd., next to the fire department.

Mayor Nick Guccione says the memorial is the oldest Vietnam memorial in the nation and means a lot to his community.

“Our veterans are very important to us,’’ he said.

Residents began the tribute 50 years ago, while the Vietnam War was still raging on, according to a history provided by the city. In December 1967, they placed a tree of lights at the site to raise money to send Christmas gifts to local servicemen serving in Vietnam. A year later, a 30-foot tree was planted at the site, and local artists provided a sculpture.

The Vietnam War memorial in Wentzville has been expanded and now includes lighting and landscaping.

Credit Provided by city of Wentzville

The current memorial, a column of red Missouri granite topped with a carved eagle, was erected in 1984 and rededicated in 1993.

When the landmark began showing signs of wear a few years ago, the community supported the city’s decision to spend $90,000 on renovations, Guccione said. The Wentzville Fire Protection District donated the land for the expansion, and local businesses and veterans groups also contributed.

Veterans, including members of the Wentzville VFW and American Legion, will participate in the ribbon-cutting ceremony.

On Monday, several hundred motorcyclists taking part in the annual “Run for the Wall” are expected to stop at the site on their cross-country trip to the Vietnam Veterans Memorial in Washington.

The memorial also attracts motorists driving by on Interstate 70, Guccione said.

“We get a lot of visitors who come to our town and just stop and pay homage and pay respect,’’ he said.

For a small group of veterans, Memorial Day was a long month this year. We began our observance in Vietnam where we volunteered to build schools.

I was the only veteran on the trip sponsored by the Veterans Vietnam Restoration Project who still lives in Missouri. But Tony Shaw grew up in suburban St. Louis, went to Mizzou and graduated in 1968 as an ROTC second lieutenant. He is now a board member of VVRP and lives in Prescott, Ariz., where he practices law.